Magin an emergency for Bombers

Pomona product Rhys Magin looks like having to wait at least another week to make his AFL debut.

For the second week in a row, Magin was last night named as an emergency for the Essendon Bombers, who play Collingwood at the MCG tomorrow afternoon in a match which is vital to their top-eight hopes.

The 19-year-old, who was drafted by the Bombers from the AFL Queensland competition last year, was elevated from Essendon’s rookie list to the senior list after the club was hit by a string of injuries.

Veteran fullback Dustin Fletcher will return from an ankle injury to replace Jay Neagle, who is out with a fractured ankle, in the only change to the Bombers’ team this week.

Andrew Welsh has recovered from a head knock and Angus Monfries has been named despite also suffering an ankle injury.

Magin will be on standby should there be any late withdrawals.

Two other former Coast juniors – Chris Smith (Fremantle) and Sam Reid (Western Bulldogs) – are also still working towards making their senior debuts, while Daniel Dzufer (Brisbane Lions) played one game last year, but hasn’t had a look in this season.

He has been playing for the Suncoast Lions in the Velocity Sports Cup.